The Lake District is one of our favourite playgrounds and the UK’s first national park to be granted Unesco world heritage site status. The downside of such spectacular countryside is that it entices visitors to spend a little too long climbing its craggy peaks and towering fells or paddleboarding and kayaking its silky-smooth lakes. It’s the kind of active break that can lead to some serious aches, pains and impediments. It’s a good job, then, that such conspicuous effort can be rewarded with equally impressive pampering: the Lake District is also home to some of the country’s best spas. Choose massages to tease out muscle strain and pedicures to banish the blisters. Or, for a DIY antidote, there’s always a stint in a thermal suite or a float in an infinity pool with nothing but the fells for company.
Main photo: the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere
1. Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Keswick
This classic Cumbrian hideaway always had the country views — overlooking Derwentwater and the Catbells mountain range — but it didn’t have the cosseting “ooohs” until it opened the swanky £13m Falls Spa with an infinity pool that spills out over the striking Borrowdale valley. Set in a landscaped garden off the main building, this pamper palace has an alfresco hydrotherapy pool, a succession of steam rooms and glass-fronted saunas, a four-person mud rasul chamber and a champagne bar for those keen to balance detox with some retox — you’re on holiday after all. Bring your trainers too: the hotel is built around Lodore, a waterfall, and you’ll want to follow the roar to its base.
2. The Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere
These two stylish country houses share the Hansel and Gretel-cute Jetty Spa. It has just one treatment room for two, built into the tree canopy and cantilevered over a misty private lake that’s wrapped in 100 acres of soft-focus countryside. Your therapist will help you blend a customised organic oil and then bottle what’s left for you to take home. For last-word indulgence, stay in one of the Gilpin’s spa lodges, kitted out with private pools, hot tubs, sauna, steam room, infrared loungers and massage chairs.
Price £££
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3. North Lakes Hotel, Penrith
Ullswater is ten minutes by car and Helvellyn no more than 20, which more than compensates for North Lakes’ location in a built-up area of Penrith. Fresh, modern interior design helps too, but the spa is its star. The 13m pool is clad in wood for a ski-lodge ambience and then there are treatments by the trendy French brand Caudalie which turns the grape pulp from its award-winning wines into upmarket lotions and potions. Crushed cabernet back treatment anyone? Follow with complimentary snacks and drinks. Relax. Repeat.
Price £
4. Armathwaite Hall, Keswick
This stately Victorian mansion set on Bassenthwaite Lake makes the most of its 400 woodland acres, offering forest bathing rituals and meditative walks with alpacas as well as kayaking — although you may well be content to appreciate the great outdoors from its glamorous two-storey spa. It has a 16m infinity edge pool, an impressive thermal suite including an Amethyst Madonna Crystal Cave, sun-trap terraces and stress-busting treatments such as the cashmere and truffles total body rejuvenation.
Price ££
5. Langdale Hotel and Spa, Great Langdale
Close to famous Lake District walks such as the Old Man of Coniston, this contemporary hotel tucked into the forested Langdale Estate has post-hike decompression down to a tee. Juggle his-and-hers spa treatments with sessions in its glorious thermal suite, which includes mineral steam bath, Finnish sauna and an ice fountain to boost circulation. Don’t miss an evening soak in its rooftop pool, listening to the sounds of wildlife in the surrounding woodlands before sinking into your emperor bed.
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Price £££
6. The Daffodil Hotel, Grasmere
On the shores of Grasmere and with a contemporary look that’s every bit as cheery as the flower itself, the Daffodil Hotel spa has a minimalist design that allows you to unwind in style after a serious day’s fell walking. At its core is an inviting thermal pool with relaxing mood lighting that you can mix and match with bouts in the sauna, tepidarium and steam room. Add a muscle-melting massage, using specially blended aromatherapy oils from the cult Spanish range Germaine de Capuccini, and you will blossom.
Price ££
7. The Swan, Newby Bridge
This 17th-century coaching inn is in a tranquil spot just across Newby Bridge’s much photographed five-arched stone bridge, and has its own marina and waterside terrace. A £7 million extension has added a swanky luxury six-room spa, facials are by UK brand OTO and feature cannabidiol (CBD), and there are relaxing massage rituals from cult Irish range, Ground Wellbeing. Its indoor thermal suite has sauna, steam and a hydrotherapy pool with a swim-through to more water jets, a hot tub, second sauna and gardens.
Price £
8. Low Wood Bay Resort, Windermere
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After a £20 million renovation, this grand 18th-century creeper-clad coaching inn is looking better than ever. Central to the look is a thoroughly modern wellness complex, including an outdoor heated infinity pool and Canadian hot tubs with killer views over the lake and mountains. Its berry and birch products take their inspiration from the surrounding countryside, while its thermal suite takes its cues from the Victorians’ penchant for sea air with a dry salt sauna. There’s a nod to the tropics too over in the heavenly scented coconut steam room.
Price ££
9. Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge
Aveda is one of the UK’s most respected skincare brands, lauded for its results-driven botanical lotions and its pioneering sustainability. So Lakeside, a traditional waterfront hotel, has scored quite a coup by having Aveda’s only UK spa. The spa’s appeal extends beyond the massage table too. It has a cool 17m indoor pool with therapeutic views over Windermere and a restful spa garden where you can soak up the scenery by the fire pit or in a heat dome.
Price ££
10. Another Place, Ullswater
This rambling Georgian mansion is perfect for families who like to stay busy, with a crisp granite-faced new wing that includes a decadent spa and a 20m swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling views over Ullswater. Its fuss-free menu includes freestyle massages that rescue bodies tired from hours of paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, cycling, walking and waterskiing so that somehow you are ready to do it all again the next day — including wild (and usually cold) lake swimming.
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Price ££
• Read our full review of Another Place
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11. The Old England Hotel, Windermere
The steamers on Lake Windermere pootling by in front of the hotel and the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction next door set the tone for a traditional hotel that’s loaded with old-fashioned charm. The spa doesn’t let the side down: book in for a superfood facial so loaded with vitamins it could almost count as one of your five a day. If you should overdo the real thing with its delicious afternoon tea — entirely understandable — you can burn up the calories in the 20m pool or state-of-the-art gym.
Price £
12. Whitewater Hotel, Newby Bridge
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This unpretentious hotel, converted from a mill dating back to Tudor times, sits on the banks of the Leven, and its spa really makes the most of that location. There’s a striking river view from the pool and loungers and its alfresco hot tub is almost within touching distance of the energising fast-flowing water. Massages and facials are by leading British brand Elemis, which has a great reputation for anti-ageing treatments, and feature soothing floral scents of rose, apricot and elderberry.
Price £
13. Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
Renée Zellweger stayed at this arts-and-crafts country house hotel while filming Miss Potter. Sitting high above Lake Windermere, it offers far-reaching views over the Cumbrian landscape and comes with a small but perfectly formed spa. To ensure things stay restful, it is a phone, camera and child-free zone. Prepare to go all flopsy during a personalised aromatherapy massage or while wallowing in the alfresco hot tub.
Price £££
14. Ambleside Salutation Hotel and Spa, Ambleside
If you want to put your foot firmly on the brakes, the Waterfall Spa at Ambleside Salutation Hotel will ease you gracefully into the slow lane. Its purpose-built spa has contemporary design and modern artworks but treatments are firmly grounded in ancient wisdom. Try the super-relaxing Chinese reflexology, or opt to unwind in the 13m pool, steam and sauna rooms before a blast of hydrotherapy courtesy of the water jets in the outdoor tub.
Price ££
15. Embleton Spa Hotel, Cockermouth
Originally an 18th-century farmhouse, this cosy spa hotel snuggles into the lush fields and fells outside Cockermouth. There’s a light and airy 14m indoor pool, although you will share it with leisure centre members and local schools. If you can’t get a swim in, there’s a well-equipped gym and alfresco hot tub. However you burn your calories, make time for a Temple Spa treatment, using ingredients inspired by the Mediterranean.
Price £
16. Appleby Manor, Appleby-in-Westmorland
Appleby Manor in the verdant Eden Valley offers a triple hit for walkers. It’s perched on the edge of the Lakes and is close to the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines too. The imposing Victorian hotel is as green as its location, being proudly carbon neutral — an ethos that extends into the contemporary adult-only Garden Spa, which uses natural British skincare products. Its focal point is a while-away thermal journey through a moody indoor hydrotherapy pool, steam room, aroma salt inhalation room, sauna and outdoor dipping tubs and, for the finale, a huddle around the fire pit.
Price £
17. Windermere Boutique Hotel, Windermere
For those happy to stay 20 minutes’ walk from the water, the prize is eight OTT suites decorated in vibrant colours, some with hand-carved tester beds, bathrooms with mood lighting and all but one with their own hot tub. Build your own one-hour treatment, combining any personal favourites: perhaps splitting your 60 minutes between a mini facial and head massage or a scrub and back rub. Your pamper location is flexible too — choose between the hotel’s smart salon or your spacious room.
Price £££
18. Rothay Garden Hotel, Grasmere
This classic Victorian gabled mansion lies on the edge of gorgeous Grasmere and its spa snuggles down within riverside gardens. Mix stints on the hydro loungers, fitted with water jets for a gentle neck and shoulder massage, with bouts in the on-trend infrared loungers to ease aching joints. There is also a glass-fronted herbal pine sauna, which overlooks the garden, and an aroma room, where the air is infused with essential oils. There’s also light therapy to add to the overall sense of peace and wellbeing. It’s tempting to stay put but Grasmere, Windermere and Ambleside are all within easy reach.
Price £
19. Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands
This romantic Victorian edifice built in faux baronial style has uninterrupted views across the ethereal beauty of Morecambe Bay. Its spa is small but perfectly formed and the indoor sunken wooden hot tubs are a magnet for walkers with tired legs, as is the glass-front aroma steam room, sauna and salt chamber. All but the brave will probably dodge a dip in the wooden cold plunge. Don’t miss out on an Elemis Pro Collagen Age Defy facial, which will put even more colour in your cheeks than a yomp over the fells. Windermere is no more than a 15-minute drive away.
Price £
20. Lakes Hotel, Bowness on Windermere
This whitewashed hotel has super-relaxing views of Windermere and bikes for hire, so when the lake lures you it’s easy to get out and explore. Alternatively, it’s a a short walk to Bowness, where you can rent paddleboards and boats for forays on the water. Spa aficionados should book one of the swanky apartments in the hotel’s spa complex. Each has an open-plan lounge and a hot tub on the balcony for chilled-out soaks under the stars. If you feel the need for more pampering, the spa has a pool with mood lighting and its own bar, and there’s a steam room, sauna, a cold plunge pool and a range of pampering Elemis treatments.
Price ££
• Best things to do in the Lake District
Additional reporting by Lucy Perrin
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